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Chris Scott
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Chris
Post Number: 2058
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 30, 2005 - 3:00 am: | 
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Two of the roads where Kelly was mentioned as living in the time before she met Barnett were Pennington Street and Breezer's Hill, both near the Ratcliff Highway.
In early 1888 there is a case reported in the Times about a woman reportedly running a brothel in Pennington Street. Her name was Bertha Christopherson and the case is repoted as follows:
The Times 13 April 1888
At the Thames Police court, Bertha Christopherson, 31, described as a brothel keeper, of Pennington street, St. George's in the East, was brought up, on a warrant, charged with suffering Dorothea Dahloff, under 16 years of age, to be in or upon the premises. Louisa Pears, 27, described as a prostitute, of the same address, was charged with procuring Dorothea Dahloff, not being a prostitute, or of known immoral character, to become a prostitute. Mr. Douglas Norman appeared to prosecute on behalf of the Central Vigilance Committee. Evidence having been given, the magistrate discharged noth the prisoners.
However, when I came to locate her in the 1891 census, her address was given as not Pennington Street, but - gues where? - Breezer's Hill!
The listing is as follows:
1891 Census:
3 Breezer's Hill, St George in the East
Head: Harry Christopherson aged 39 born Norway - Seaman
Wife: Bertha Christopherson aged 34 born Germany
Lodgers:
Mary O'Connor aged 25 born Gravesend, Kent - Tailoress
Fanny Gumm aged 23 born Oxfordshire - Dressmaker
Breezer's Hill was a very small road and Mrs McCarthy listed at No 1 Breezer's Hill with three residents listed as "unfortunates" it makes you wonder how many establishments of this type were in this short road and whether Kelly knew Christopherson or perhaps even this was the house where she stayed and not No 1.
Chris |
Diana
Chief Inspector
Username: Diana
Post Number: 630
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 30, 2005 - 10:24 pm: |
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OOOOOOOOOOOOh! Try to find who was living there before 1891! We've all wondered if Mary Kelly was her real name. Now we might find out! |
Chris Scott
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Chris
Post Number: 2059
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 31, 2005 - 12:49 am: |
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Hi Diana
Here is the listing for Breezer's Hill for 1881:
Breezer's Hill in 1881:
No 4:
Head: Hans Servnor aged 25 born Norway - Boarding house keeper
Wife: Anna Servnor aged 25 born Denmark
No 3:
Head: Henry Konig aged 41 born Hanover, Germany - Sugar Farmer
Wife: Anna Konig aged 39 born hanover
Children:
Anna aged 12
Henry aged 10
Alice aged 7
All born in St George in the East
Boarders:
John Haschen aged 24
August Bertram aged 24
Rudolf Homan aged 29
Adolf Friting aged 27
Luther Dorscher aged 24
All boarders born in Hanover and listed as Sugar farmers
No 2:
Head: Elizabeth Davis aged 26 born Bermondsey - Dressmaker - Seaman's wife
Son: William Davis aged 8 born St George in the East
Boarders:
Hannah Davies aged 30 born Bermondsey - Dressmaker
Elizabeth Bygann aged 25 born Aberdeen - Dressmaker
No 1:
Head: Robert Hart aged 36 - Smith's labourer
Wife: Emily Hart aged 33 born Aldgate - Tailoress
Children:
Robert aged 13 - printer's boy
Walter aged 11
Louisa aged 9
Emily aged 5
All born in Whitechapel
Brother in law: Henry C Austin aged 20 born Whitechapel - Dock labourer
Boarders:
Edward Parker aged 45 born Eltham, Kent - Blacksmith
John P Shea aged 25 born London - Dock labourer |
Diana
Chief Inspector
Username: Diana
Post Number: 631
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 31, 2005 - 8:08 pm: |
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Kelly wouldn't have been the first to lie about her age. Could she have been in her early thirties in 1888? Elizabeth Davis looks like a good bet. It would tie in with the name she gave for her husband (Davies).
Elizabeth Bygann is less likely. I assume a Scottish accent can be distinguished from an Irish accent by those in the British Isles.
I would be interested in Hannah but she seems a little old.
Wasn't "dressmaker" a euphemism for another profession? |
Phil Hill
Chief Inspector
Username: Phil
Post Number: 555
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 01, 2005 - 2:04 am: |
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Wasn't "dressmaker" a euphemism for another profession?
Yes. Unless you WERE a dressmaker, of course!!
Actually, I think "seamstress" was the more usual soubriquet.
Frankly, I would have thought 1881 to be a bit early for MJK to have been in the East End. But Bertha and her household are great finds Chris, and she might well be a candidtae as someone Mary knew or even lived/worked with.
Phil |
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